FASHION : View Posts

The Fashion Industry consists of companies that design and sell clothing, footwear and accessories. Product categories include everything from basics, such as underwear, to luxury items, for example, cashmere sweaters and alligator-skin handbags. Traditionally, Apparel companies are wholesalers, selling large quantities of goods to retailers, which mark up items and sell them to consumers for a profit. However, it’s become more difficult to draw a line between wholesalers and retailers; most Apparel companies now have both types of operations.

The Apparel Industry is fragmented and highly competitive. There are several major players, but there are also countless niche stores and private companies that cater to specific demographics. Too, general merchandisers and foreign companies bring more competition to the sector. Consequently, Apparel companies need to be nimble and highly efficient to survive in this cutthroat industry. Having the right product is also essential. Fashion trends change frequently, and companies need to adapt to varying consumer tastes quickly.

Companies in this industry manufacture garments made from purchased fabric and from fabric they produce themselves. Major companies include Hanesbrands, Levi Strauss, Michael Kors, PVH, Ralph Lauren, Under Armour, and VF Corporation (all based in the US), along with Prada (Italy).

Global apparel market is expected to have a growth rate of 2.84% between 2023 to 2027, according to Statista. Overall sales are expected to make a full recovery, with growth likely driven by the US, China, and Europe, according to the 2022 State of Fashion report by McKinsey & Company.

The US apparel manufacturing industry includes about 6,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $10 billion.

THIS PROFILE IS COURTESY OF VALUELINE.COM – CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Sources: www.valueline.com , www.britannica.com , www.careereducationadvisor.com , www.dnb.com

This back-to-school season, Gap is encouraging kids to move freely as true originals with a new collection and campaign that inspires them to be confident and unapologetically themselves through music, fashion, and dance.

GapKids’ Back-to-School Collection offers endless possibilities for self-expression – highlighting key styles like baggy denim cargos, elevated hoodies and varsity jackets, all pieces that ensure kids kick off the school year in style and feel like their most confident selves.

“This year’s back-to-school product assortment and campaign celebrates the next generation of GapKids,” said Mark Breitbard, CEO and President of Gap brand. “With styles that encourage self-expression and a campaign centered on optimism, we aim to be a destination where kids find exciting styles that parents love.”

A new survey commissioned by Gap highlights the significant impact of creativity and self-expression on children’s confidence. The findings show that 86% of parents observe a boost in their child’s confidence when they express creativity through fashion. Moreover, 85% of parents believe their children are more confident and enthusiastic about school when they choose their own outfit for the first day.

The accompanying campaign film, “Just dance.,” features a cast of young artistic originals showing off their best dance moves. Set to the throwback hit “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai and directed by Charlie Di Placido with original choreography by Ysabelle Capitulé, it spotlights the cast’s seamless motion and effortless movement while dressed in GapKids’ styles that reflect their individuality. The spot references an iconic scene from pop culture history, featuring cameos from Jon Heder alongside his former co-star Efren Ramirez — bridging the gap between nostalgia and modern style.

“Working with Gap on this campaign was very special for me, especially as a dad,” said Heder. “Back-to-school can be a daunting time, and this campaign is an important reminder to encourage children to celebrate their superpowers and dance like no one is watching. To work with Gap again on a project infused with so much nostalgia was such a meaningful experience – and incredibly fun.”

The survey also found that 87% of parents recognize an increase in their child’s confidence when they express themselves through music and dance, further underscoring the power of creative expression in boosting children’s overall self-belief.

The GapKids campaign and the moving lookbook will debut on July 23 across Gap brand social channels including YouTube.

Follow along on @gapkids to see #justdancewithgap content go live throughout the coming months.

Press Contact:
Gap | PR Consulting
gap@prconsulting.net
jenna_stone@gap.com

About Gap:
Gap is a globally recognized icon of casual American style. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, Gap champions originality by creating loved essentials and delivering culturally relevant experiences that celebrate individuality. Gap is an adult apparel and accessories brand that offers GapKids, babyGap, Gap Maternity, GapBody and GapFit collections. The brand also serves value-conscious customers with exclusively designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores. Gap is the namesake brand of the global specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and connects with customers online and in company-operated and franchise retail locations globally. For more information, please visit gap.com.

Athleta, a Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) company and leading women’s performance activewear brand, empowers women and girls to build confidence, strength, and belonging through movement—igniting the POWER OF SHE. At a time when women are dominating on and off courts, tracks, mats, and fields, Athleta is inviting women to not just play the game but to change it with inspiring campaigns, events, and partnerships this summer.

“We’re dedicated to centering this purpose-led performance brand—designed by women for women—on the authentic strengths that define Athleta: our culturally relevant purpose, innovative products, and compelling consumer experiences,” said Ilona Aman, CMO of Athleta. “Our Power of She platform, a community-driven initiative that emphasizes the strength and unity of women, is more relevant than ever. Partnering with game-changing women like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky and celebrating the Best College Athlete Women’s Sports nominees, truly embodies our purpose to move the world forward by igniting the Power of She within all of us.”

ESPYS SPONSORSHIP
Athleta, an official ESPYS sponsor, will present the award for Best College Athlete Women’s Sports, celebrating the achievements of women who have changed the game at a collegiate level this year. The nominees include Haleigh Bryant (LSU Gymnastics), Caitlin Clark (University of Iowa Basketball), Sarah Franklin (Wisconsin Basketball), and Izzy Scane (Northwestern Lacrosse), with the award to be announced on July 11.

The brand also hosted a luncheon with ESPN and the 2024 ESPYS the day before the awards show. The intimate event was co-hosted by actress, activist, and Angel City FC investor Sophia Bush, and ESPN multimedia journalist and WSF trustee Ari Chambers. It featured inspiring conversations with select nominees for this year’s Best College Athlete Women’s Sports award and Power of She Collective member, gold medal para snowboarder and 2024 ESPYS nominee, Brenna Huckaby.

AD CAMPAIGN
The ESPYS sponsorship follows a new ad campaign from Athleta featuring long-standing brand partner and one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles. The campaign marks Athleta’s first national linear TV buy and showcases Biles performing gravity-defying moves in the brand’s signature performance product, inviting women and girls to unlock their unique power. The campaign also includes social and out-of-home ads featuring Biles and Athleta partner Katie Ledecky, the world’s most decorated swimmer.

POWER OF SHE POSTCARD IN-STORE ACTIVATION
The Power of She community supports and empowers women and girls. Athleta is celebrating game changers like Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky by inviting consumers to visit Athleta stores and write postcards of admiration to these athletes or other influential women or girls in their lives. This initiative recognizes that game changers aren’t just elite athletes but also coaches, mentors, parents, and friends. For each postcard collected, Athleta will donate $1 to The Power of She Fund.

PARIS AND U.S. ACTIVATIONS
In Paris, Athleta will lead and facilitate the global “Power of She” conversation as it hosts a private content creation activation in the heart of the Marais district. This will include events and gatherings to celebrate women who are changing the game not only in sports but across fashion, lifestyle, marketing, and culture. Through new and existing partnerships and exclusive programming, the space will amplify and elevate the stories of these unique game changers.

Stateside, the brand will host a series of ‘Power of She’ workout events in nine key markets, inviting women and girls to come together and unlock their own unique power. Driving a sense of community, the workout series will take place in Athleta stores in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Scottsdale, Minneapolis, and New York. Additionally, Los Angeles and Miami will have larger event moments in impactful venues where demand for our experiential touch points is high.

“We believe our customers will be inspired by these iconic women this summer as they break records and change the game, ” said Aman. “When they are ready to ignite their power and find their movement, we have the performance-driven, trend-right product to help start or continue their journey in building strength and confidence.”

To mark the moment, Athleta is donating $100,000 to WSF, a nonprofit organization celebrating 50 years of changing the game. As part of its long legacy and impact, WSF partnered with Athleta to launch The Power of She Fund in 2020. Since then, The Fund has helped close to 50,000 women and girls overcome barriers to unlocking their power.

For more information, visit www.athleta.com and follow Athleta on social media via Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

About Athleta:
A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a premium performance lifestyle brand with a purpose of inspiring and empowering women and girls to find confidence, strength, and belonging through movement. Athleta’s versatile performance apparel is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its product offering to support women’s active lifestyle—from yoga and training to travel and recovery. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance product in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its more than 250 retail stores across the United States and Canada and at Athleta.com.

CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH & NEW YORK— HEINZ and kate spade new york announce a delicious new global partnership to debut a limited-edition collection just in time for summer. Both brands have fostered generations of loyal fans with their kitchen and closet staples, making this partnership an unexpected yet natural fit that embraces the spirit of both HEINZ and kate spade new york.

HEINZ and kate spade new york debut capsule collection uniting the iconic and unmistakable red of HEINZ Ketchup with the playful styles of kate spade new york. (Photo: Business Wire)
HEINZ and kate spade new york debut capsule collection uniting the iconic and unmistakable red of HEINZ Ketchup with the playful styles of kate spade new york. (Photo: Business Wire)

The partnership and one-of-a-kind capsule collection draw inspiration from each brand’s signature DNA — HEINZ’s beloved iconography and unmistakable ketchup red color and kate spade new york’s colorful, iconic and joyful styles. Featuring totes, pouches, small leather goods, ready to wear tees, footwear, keychains, phone cases and more, this new line will elevate all of summer’s special moments.

“With this new line of ‘condiment couture,’ we’re excited to partner with the iconic kate spade new york brand to pay homage to the beloved HEINZ brand,” says Megan Lang, Head of Global HEINZ Brand Communications and Creativity. “kate spade new york shares many values with HEINZ – from creating products of the highest quality that are expertly crafted by masters and leave no detail untouched, to exhibiting true devotion to our fans. In return, both brands have incredibly loyal fanbases that transcend generations. At HEINZ, we love to celebrate the unique and unconventional ways our fans show their love for us, and this collection is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

“At kate spade new york, we believe in exploring the journey of self-expression through style in fun, unexpected ways,” says Jennifer Lyu, SVP and Head of Design at kate spade new york. “It’s the thoughtful details that bring this collection with HEINZ to life – from the embellishments on the tee and the way our 3D ketchup bag looks just like that classic red and white packet. The playful designs are perfect for all of summer’s special moments, capturing the spirit of the season. I’m excited for customers across generations to experience a little piece of the magic we created with HEINZ.”

The HEINZ x kate spade new york collection is designed to deliver fans exciting and unexpected ways to express their love for the iconic brands and stay on trend with one of the year’s hottest colors. Launching under HEINZ’s global creative strategy, “Irrational Love,” the new collection showcases how ketchup lovers and fashion connoisseurs alike can leave a red-hot spark wherever they go this summer. No barbecue, park picnic or baseball game will be complete without HEINZ or kate spade new york.

The limited-edition collection, ranging from $45 to $398 USD, will be available for purchase at select kate spade new york stores, select department stores and wholesale locations and online at katespade.com in global markets including China, Europe, Japan, North America and Southeast Asia. For more information on this one-of-a-kind collection, follow @heinz and @katespadeny on social media.

About The Kraft Heinz Company:
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2023 net sales of approximately $27 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.

About kate spade new york:
Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, kate spade new york has always stood for color, wit, optimism, and femininity. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand synonymous with joy, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, gifts, home décor and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, kate spade new york offers a distinctive point of view, and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles. kate spade new york is part of the Tapestry house of brands.

NEW YORK– The Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) (“ELC”) is pleased to announce the launch of The Catalysts program. Created by ELC’s New Incubation Ventures (“NIV”) and launched with support from TikTok, the integrated, global initiative is aimed at spotlighting, uplifting, and empowering emerging storytellers with fresh visions for the beauty industry. Applicants will have the chance to win up to $250K in financial backing as well as mentorship and project assistance.* A distinguished panel of industry luminaries, creative visionaries, and TikTok creators will select two winners who are reshaping the future of beauty through innovative branding, product development, and storytelling.

The program underscores NIV’s dedication to championing the trailblazing spirits in beauty, accentuating the influence and impact the beauty industry has and its interconnectedness with wider cultural, social, and artistic landscapes.

TikTok’s beauty community has helped revolutionize the industry, creating an inclusive space, and facilitating new ways of beauty storytelling. With #Beauty amassing over 45M posts, TikTok breathes life into new trends. Beauty on TikTok is rooted in the unique and inclusive beauty community on the platform, a diverse constellation of beauty subcultures, with content for every kind of style one can imagine.

“Today, founding a beauty brand takes more than traditional business acumen; it’s about crafting narratives, building communities, and shaping not just trends but also broader conversations and movements. Founders are storytellers, cultural ambassadors, filmmakers, designers, gamers, and artists,” said Shana Randhava, Senior Vice President, New Incubation Ventures. “Their visions of beauty — expressed via product, retail experiences, films, content — continue to fuel growth in the beauty sector. We set out to create a program to identify and elevate these visionaries as they continue to drive innovation and push the conversation forward.”

“We’ve witnessed the evolution of beauty firsthand on TikTok, not just through how products are shared and discovered, but how they are experienced,” said Vanessa Craft, Global Head of Partnerships at TikTok. “We’re proud to have created a space where everyone is able to explore the diversity and inclusivity of beauty – driven by our incredible community of creators and brands who enable enthusiasts to be a part of something and see how beauty products perform on people that look like them. We are delighted to be joining The Estée Lauder Companies in finding and nurturing future pioneers of the beauty industry.”

To support applicants, The Catalysts will unveil ten masterclasses providing an overview of what it takes to build the next great brand. Whether applicants dream of revolutionizing skin care, cosmetics, or fragrance, The Catalysts Masterclass series taps a group of industry-leading founders, storytellers, and creatives to share the insights needed to build a next generation beauty brand.

The Catalysts applicants will be judged by an esteemed jury of creative figures, including accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, content creators, experts, as well as representatives from The Estée Lauder Companies. Judges include Shana Randhava, Vanessa Craft, Michèle Lamy, Fabien Baron, Craig McDean, Carlos Nazario, Eugene Souleiman, Hung Vanngo, Ruba Abu-Nimah, Julia Sarr-Jamois, Thomas Roussel, Violet Chachki, Drew Elliott, Courtney McHugh, Andreas Neophytou, Francisco Costa, Celia Ellenberg, Hanna Hanra, Sallyann Houghton, Mitchell Halliday, and Grace Choi.

*The Catalysts website and application portal are live and will accept applications until August 4, 2024, 11:59 PM ET. Full Official Rules, program details and prize descriptions are available at www.thecatalystsworld.com.

Winners will be announced in October 2024 at a final event in Paris.
No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase chances of winning. Participation is open only to creators who are legal residents of their country of residence, are at least 21 years of age and have attained the age of majority in their state, country or province of residence. Void where prohibited.

Website: www.thecatalystsworld.com
TikTok: @thecatalystsworld

About New Incubation Ventures
New Incubation Ventures (NIV) is the strategic early-stage investment and incubation arm for The Estée Lauder Companies. NIV partners with forward-thinking founders and entrepreneurs to create, fund, and support the best-emerging beauty brands and new business models to shape the future of beauty and build an actionable pipeline of diversified brands and new engines of growth for the ELC portfolio.

About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD BEAUTY, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD.

Central to Nike’s values is a longstanding commitment to listening to the voice of the athlete. For the past three years, Nike has underscored that commitment by gathering and learning from elite women athletes from across the globe as part of its Athlete Think Tank.

Now, for the first time, the latest Athlete Think Tank cohort also includes coaches from across the highest levels of sport. The addition of coaches reflects a key insight from prior Athlete Think Tank cohorts: that to champion athletes, you must also champion coaches, listen to their ideas and meet their unique needs.

The third Athlete Think Tank cohort includes athletes Alex Morgan, Alice Dearing, Kiki Rice, Laurie Hernandez, Nelly Korda, Oksana Masters, Romane Dicko, Sky Brown, Tunde Oyeneyin and Yulimar Rojas, as well as coaches Emma Hayes, Jenny Lang Ping, Dawn Staley and Diljeet Taylor.

“Alongside incredible athletes, the third Athlete Think Tank cohort includes some of the greatest coaches of our time,” says Tanya Hvizdak, Vice President, Nike Global Women’s Sports Marketing. “Creating positive change through sport is done through listening to the voice of the athlete and listening to coaches. I’m excited about the ideas and perspectives they bring and how we can partner to turn those into action.”

Together, over the past three years, Athlete Think Tank’s athletes and coaches have gathered to share their insights, thoughts and vision for a more equitable future of sport. This relationship continues to help Nike redefine the model of athlete partnership as a two-way commitment that champions candor, deep listening and collaborative problem-solving. It’s also resulted in new Nike product offerings, services for athletes and support for community organizations that reflect athletes’ passions.

To help break barriers to access and achievement, Nike is continuing to invest in the community organizations that matter to Athlete Think Tank. This year, the brand will donate $1.7 million to nonprofits chosen by members of the collective.

Funds are being allocated to organizations such as Social Impact Fund, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Make Life Skate Life and Charities Aid Foundation America to help create positive change through sport. Since Athlete Think Tank’s inception, Nike has invested a total of $4.4 million to community organizations on the program’s behalf.

“Nike’s investment in community and commitment to listening to women athletes signals the depth of the brand’s support for members of the collective as well as women and girls across all levels of sport,” says Emma Hayes, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team coach and a member of the third Athlete Think Tank cohort. “We have an environment where we can change things that are going to make a difference for future generations of athletes and coaches. It’s extremely inspiring and empowering.”

Athlete Think Tank will continue its momentum with the formation of a fourth cohort of athletes and coaches later this year.

How does a brand obtain real success, and what metrics should be used to confirm it? While there may not be a perfect answer in the world of fashion, supporters can still celebrate the brands that are making real impact through their creativity.

Enter the Chicano-inspired, activism-forward Willy Chavarria. The designer behind his namesake line shares with the CFDA that a key marker of the brand’s ongoing accomplishment has been its commitment to social stances as well as challenging traditional notions of masculinity. “Ultimately, it has reinforced our commitment to inclusivity and authenticity, which continues to be a driving force behind our success,” Chavarria said.

That community-building was central to his first show in 2017, which took place at the dawn of a charged political era. The collection, seductively entitled “Cruising,” was presented at the infamous gay bar The Eagle, serving as an indirect affirmation of the community behind the space, as well as containing allusions to Chavarria’s upbringing in Mexico.

“We felt that we had to use our platform not to ignore the ugliness in the world, but to define our own strength within it. We grew an audience that connected, not only with the fashion itself, but with our voice,” Chavarria shared about the presentation.

While the world of Willy Chavarria has grown, the brand has collected a community of industry insiders and fans who resonate with the themes in each collection. Even in the most recent season, the selection for FW24 continued to blend the designer’s cultural narratives with items like a houndstooth turtleneck, deliciously oversized cable knit sweaters and ties, and a draped veil attached to a baseball cap. His newest extension is the Willy Chavarria x The Patron Saints Capsule with Tribeca’s designer boutique Patron of the New.

As for what Chavarria would share with other designers looking to build their cultural legacy, he said: “Seek inspiration beyond the world of fashion and apply it to what you create. Think about how you might be able to make people see and feel differently than they do. Do what hasn’t yet been done.”

DENVER — VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, today announced Caroline Brown has been named Global Brand President of The North Face®, and will be starting the week of June 10, 2024. Brown succeeds Nicole Otto and, as a result of her appointment, Brown has resigned as a member of the VF Board of Directors.

VF also announced that Mindy Grossman and Kirk Tanner have been appointed independent directors on the VF Board, effective May 30, 2024. Grossman and Tanner will stand for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting of VF Shareholders. Benno Dorer has decided not to stand for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

“Caroline’s expertise in building and transforming global brands, as well as her extensive experience in the apparel and fashion industry, fit perfectly with the needs of The North Face® brand at this time,” added Bracken Darrell, VF’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With Caroline’s intense focus on brand building, product design, consumer insight, and innovation, I am confident The North Face® will expand on its enormous power as a leading global outdoor brand and be a driving force behind VF’s growth and value creation. On behalf of the Board and leadership team, I thank Nicole for her dedication and service to VF and the brand, and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

“We are also excited to welcome Mindy and Kirk to the Board,” said Richard Carucci, Chair of the VF Board. “Mindy and Kirk are proven leaders with extensive track records leading complex companies and supercharging the growth of global consumer brands through innovation, marketing and digital strategies. We look forward to benefiting from their insights as VF continues to improve execution and enhance innovation as part of its Reinvent strategy. These appointments represent further steps in VF’s refreshment process, and reflect our continued constructive collaboration with VF shareholder Engaged Capital. With these appointments, VF has added five new directors to its Board within the past two years, including directors with valuable apparel and footwear experience.”

Carucci continued, “We are grateful to Benno for his contributions to VF over many years of service, and particularly appreciate his work and impact as Interim CEO prior to Bracken Darrell’s appointment. We thank Benno and extend to him our best wishes for the future.”

Glenn W. Welling, Founder and CIO of Engaged Capital, said, “We are pleased to have worked with the VF Board on Mindy and Kirk’s appointments. VF shareholders will benefit from Mindy’s apparel and digital expertise and Kirk’s experience operating a multi-branded portfolio at the highest levels. We also are highly supportive of Caroline in her new management role. All three additions bring invaluable skills to the Company and will play important roles in helping accelerate VF’s strategic and business transformation.”

Caroline Brown
Caroline Brown served as an independent director on the VF Board from February 2024 to May 2024. She has extensive experience as a senior leader and board director in the fashion and apparel sector having led global companies and teams operating across the US, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, EU & UK regions. Most recently she was a Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners, a New York-based investment firm and innovation center focused on the circular economy, where she led the firm’s fashion practice. Brown previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Donna Karan International (DKI) and DKNY. During that time, she led a transformation of the company, elevating product design, modernizing brand identity, overseeing organizational structure realignments and supply chain consolidations. She led the company through the sale from LVMH to G-III Apparel Group. Prior to DKI, Brown was President of Carolina Herrera, a luxury fashion house owned by PUIG, where she led the evolution in product development, brand architecture and international expansion. Previously, she served as the US Chief Executive Officer of Akris, a Swiss-based luxury fashion brand. Brown began her career at Giorgio Armani, where she spent over a decade in marketing and communications leadership roles.

Brown has served on numerous boards, including EILEEN FISHER (US), Browzwear (Israel), Dimpora (Switzerland), By Rotation (UK), For Days (US), and others. She is a member of the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative Advisory Board and an Advisor to the Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Caroline is passionate about mentoring new talent and has served as an advisor to the CFDA / VOGUE Fashion Fund and to the H&M Global Change Awards, supporting the development of future leaders & innovation for the industry.

Mindy Grossman
Mindy Grossman is a Partner at Consello, an Advisory and Investing Platform that advises corporate leaders in the areas of Growth, Marketing, Technology and M&A. The company invests in high potential mid-market companies through its investment arm, Consello Capital. Prior to Consello, Grossman served as President, CEO, and as a member of the Board of Directors of WW International, where she led the organization’s rebranding from Weight Watchers to WW and its evolution to a personalized digital health, wellness and science-based weight loss platform with a digital-first subscription model.

Prior to WW, Grossman served as CEO and as a member of the Board at HSNi (and its predecessor IAC Retail) for 11 years. She was instrumental in the successful turnaround and subsequent 2008 spinoff of IAC Retail, which became a stand-alone public company, HSNi. IAC Retail was comprised of HSN, the TV and digital shopping network and Cornerstone Brands, a portfolio of catalogues, websites and retail locations including Frontgate and Garnet Hill. She ultimately grew HSNi into a $4 billion leader in boundary-less retail, offering customers a seamless shopping experience across multiple channels – television, catalogue, online and mobile. Before HSNi, Grossman served as a Global Vice President at NIKE, Inc. for five years, where she oversaw NIKE’s $4 billion global apparel business, leading the development and growth of the global women’s business. Earlier in her career, Grossman served in a number of leadership roles at Ralph Lauren, including as President of Chaps Ralph Lauren. She also held senior positions at Warnaco, Inc., Tommy Hilfiger and Oxford Industries.

Grossman has served on a number of public and private boards and charities. Currently, she is on the Board of Directors of Hungryroot, Fanatics, Inc., Herself Health and the American Heart Association. She previously served on the Boards of Bloomin’ Brands, Vault Health and UNICEF, as Chair of the National Retail Federation, and as a member of the Digital Economy Board of Advisors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Kirk Tanner
Kirk Tanner has served as President and CEO of Wendy’s Co. and as a member of its Board since February 2024. Prior to that, he served in leadership roles of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo, Inc. for over 30 years, including as CEO, PepsiCo Beverages North America, the $26 billion business unit, which accounts for approximately 30% of PepsiCo’s overall business; President and Chief Operating Officer, North America Beverages; Chief Operating Officer, North America Beverages; and President, Global Foodservice. During his tenure at PepsiCo, Tanner was instrumental in enhancing operational performance, accelerating revenue growth, incubating and launching new products, entering new markets, and forming strategic partnerships and transactions with major sports leagues and restaurant chains that propelled PepsiCo’s growth.

Tanner is actively involved with various civic organizations and serves as a member of the advisory board of the University of Utah – David Eccles School of Business.

About VF Corporation
Founded in 1899, VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, activities and experiences they cherish most through a family of iconic outdoor, active and workwear brands including Vans®, The North Face®, Timberland® and Dickies®. Our purpose is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. We connect this purpose with a relentless drive to succeed to create value for all stakeholders and use our company as a force for good. For more information, please visit vfc.com.

NEW YORK — Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) announces the appointment of Justin Picicci as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective today. Jane Nielsen, who joined the Company as CFO in 2016 and has served as CFO and Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2019, will remain the Company’s COO, continuing to lead key operational and strategy functions through the end of Fiscal 2025 (year ending March 29, 2025). Picicci’s appointment is part of a multi-year strategic succession plan to enable a seamless transition.

“As CFO, Jane has had a tremendous impact on Ralph Lauren, helping to guide our Company through a period of significant brand elevation and transformation. I am grateful for her leadership, and I look forward to continuing to partner with Jane in her role as COO,” said Patrice Louvet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation. “Jane and I have been working closely with Justin for years on our ongoing financial strategy. Ralph, the Board, and I have the utmost confidence in our ability to, together, deliver strong growth and value creation.”

“I am immensely proud of Ralph Lauren’s accomplishments in the last seven years, and looking ahead, I am thrilled to have Justin step into the CFO role. I look forward to a seamless transition and focusing on my operational responsibilities,” Nielsen said. “Justin’s deep and diverse experience at Ralph Lauren, combined with his passion for our brand, make him a natural CFO successor. I have no doubt that he will build on the strong foundation and successful financial strategy we’ve put in place over the last several years to deliver on our Next Great Chapter: Accelerate plan.”

Ralph Lauren is in a strong financial position as it executes its CFO succession plan. Over the last seven years, the Company has elevated its brand and become a significantly stronger and more profitable business. Operationally, the Company increased average unit retail (AUR) by more than 70%, repositioned its e-commerce business, and improved direct-to-consumer penetration by 10 points, now representing about two-thirds of the total business. Financially, Ralph Lauren’s overall adjusted operating income has increased by over 20%, adjusted EPS has grown by 80%, and the Company has built a fortress balance sheet.

As CFO, Picicci will drive financial strategy to deliver sustainable profitable growth and value creation, overseeing Ralph Lauren’s global finance organization and investor relations. He joined Ralph Lauren in 2006 and has held a range of senior finance leadership roles at the Company spanning corporate and commercial functions, including, most recently as Enterprise CFO, a role that was a part of the Company’s multi-year succession process. In this role, he was responsible for Ralph Lauren’s financial planning, accounting, tax, treasury, controllership, and global procurement. Picicci has also served as the Asia Pacific CFO, Global Company Controller and Head of Procurement, and North America CFO – giving him a comprehensive and deep understanding of the Ralph Lauren business globally.

“More than 18 years ago, I came to Ralph Lauren to work for a brand that I grew up with and admired, and to this day, I continue to be inspired by our Purpose and Ralph’s timeless vision that guides us and inspires consumers around the world,” said Picicci. “We are operating from a position of strength, fueled by incredible brand equity, and I, with Ralph, Patrice, Jane and our entire leadership team, will continue to deliver on our strategy.”

Picicci will continue to be a member of the Company’s enterprise leadership team and will report to Nielsen for the remainder of Fiscal 2025.

ABOUT RALPH LAUREN CORPORATION
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of luxury lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, footwear & accessories, home, fragrances and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren has sought to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. Its reputation and distinctive image have been developed across a wide range of products, brands, distribution channels and international markets. The Company’s brand names — which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children and Chaps, among others — constitute one of the world’s most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, visit https://corporate.ralphlauren.com

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains goals, initiatives and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the senior management of the Company. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “aim,” “outlook,” “commit,” “estimate,” “ensure,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “envision,” “seek,” “goal,” “target,” “can,” “will,” and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and judgments and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond Company control. The factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to materially differ include, among others, the risk factors identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT
Corporate Communications
RL-Press@RalphLauren.com

Paris, – Reinforcing its commitment to beauty that is more personalized, inclusive and responsible, today at Viva Technology in Paris, L’Oréal will unveil innovations that deliver ‘Beauty for Each, Powered by Beauty Tech’. They include a portfolio of cutting-edge skin and hair diagnostics, a GenAI-poweredpersonal beauty assistant, a GenAI Beauty Content Lab called CREAITECH to augment creativity,a revolutionary hair dryer based on infrared light technology, a micro-resurfacing device for advanced skincare performance, and the most realistic, human skin-like technology platform for scientific research and product testing.

“Having pioneered Beauty Tech for years, we are firm believers that technology can push the boundaries of what’s possible for beauty to improve the lives of people around the world. With advanced diagnostics, augmented beauty services, GenAI assistants, augmented creativity in the GenAI era, and breakthrough electronic devices, we are shaping the beauty of the future to be more personalized, more inclusive and more responsible,” said Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology, L’OréalGroupe. “This week at VivaTech, alongside other breakthrough innovations, we are unveiling Skin Technology by L’Oréal: a new bioprinted skin that more closely mimics real human skin and opens up exciting possibilities for researchers across the cosmetic and health sectors.”

Made possible by the convergence of biology, mechanics and electronics, Skin Technology by L’Oréalmore closely mimics the vast diversity of real, human skin, including conditions such as eczema and acne, as well as the ability to tan and heal from injury. L’Oréal is currently working with start-ups and renowned institutes worldwide on further developing the technology to enable skin that can actually feel. Skin Technology promises to raise the standards of product testing and encourage beauty without animal cruelty – a commitment of L’Oréal’s since 1989.

The Groupe is also debuting its in-house GenAI Beauty Content Lab, CREAITECH, an advanced lab with tools set to transform content production for the Groupe. CREAITECH is being used as a safe space for GenAI experimentation. CREAITECH allows L’Oréal to scale the creation of brand-compliant and localized content across its 37 beauty brands, and in parallel, upskill L’Oréal marketers on the latest creative technologies. The Groupe is also announcing a partnership with Meta and leading content creators to continue to push the boundaries of creativity.

“With human creativity, technology is at its most awe-inspiring, giving people a powerful tool for self-expression and brand expression,” said Asmita Dubey, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, L’OréalGroupe. “Our CREAITECH GenAI Beauty Content Lab is a testament to what a human hand and a GenAI tool can achieve together in creativity. With our new Brand Custom Models, we can train GenAI to recognize the unique visual codes of our brands and launch innovative beauty campaigns faster. Importantly, we can do so without compromising our principles of responsible AI, which include notusing AI generated life-like images of the face, body, hair and skin to support or enhance product benefits in our external communication.”

Dubey continued: “Meanwhile, with Meta we unveil the New Codes of Beauty Creator Program to empower the next generation of 3D, AR, and AI creators and explore new creative frontiers in beauty. Our brands L’Oréal Paris, Lancôme, and La Roche-Posay are pioneering and embracing these new creative territories through collaborations with a squad of 30 creators adept at leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques. Our goal is to unleash technological creativity in a rising creator economy.”

Barbara Lavernos and Asmita Dubey will co-headline L’Oréal’s keynote, “SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BEAUTY WITH BEAUTY TECH” at VivaTech on 22nd May on Stage 1. From 22-25 May, L’Oréal Beauty Tech experts at VivaTech will welcome guests and showcase the following innovations in booth F37

BEAUTY TECH FOR CONSUMERS
Kiehl’s Derma-Readerevaluates customers’ skin using clinical imaging technology, measuring over 11 skin attributes both on and below the skin surface and recommends appropriate ingredients and lifestyle tips in addition to a targeted routine to add into the customer’s daily skincare routine.

Lancôme RENERGIE NANO-RESURFACER| 400 BOOSTERis a beauty device that has been specifically developed to boost cosmetic penetration into stratum corneum and amplify product performance. This device is powered by breakthrough patented nanochip technology made of more than 400 ultra-precise nano-tips for clinically tested results at home.

L’Oréal Paris Beauty Geniusis a Gen AI-powered, all-in-one personal beauty assistant that offers its users personalized diagnostics and recommendations, enabling consumers to learn anything about beauty simply and easily.

L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Prois a revolution in hair drying that is better for the hair and the environment. Made for both beauty professionals and consumers at home, AirLight Pro combines infrared light with high-speed wind to efficiently dry water on the hair’s surface, helping provide better hair quality and resulting in smooth, shiny hair for each individual.

L’Oréal Professionnel My Hair [iD] Hair Readeris a unique hair color analyzer which uses ultra-precise optics to analyze hair health and measure hair color, including natural color and color on lengths, gray percentage, hair fiber diameter and density to offer consumers the right, personalized hair color every single time.

BEAUTY TECH FOR INDUSTRY
Skin Technology by L’OréalFor over 40 years, L’Oréal has led reconstructed human skin with state-of-the-art testing models for biological and dermatological research. Skin Technology by L’Oréal combines the best of biology, mechanics, and electronics to create inclusive testing models that mimic the complexity of human skin, raising testing standards in the cosmetics industry, while enabling players in health industries, start-ups and research institutes to benefit from this expertise.

L’Oréal CREAITECH GenAI Beauty Content Lab Over the last eight months, the CREAITECH Gen AI Beauty Content Lab has used the WPP NVidia engine as well as several other Large Language Models, diffusion models and partners. A safe space for experimentation, the Groupe has tested more than 20 Gen AI Tech and conducted dozens of workshops with their brands to create more than1,000 beauty images. Further to this, CREAITECH is pioneering the development of Brand Custom Models, trained with the essential codes of L’Oréal brands, to generate brand-compliant content. La Roche-Posay and Kérastase are first movers, utilizing this tailored service in their content creation process.

New Codes of Beauty: Creator EconomyL’Oréal Groupe and Meta unveil the New Codes of Beauty Creator Program to empower the next generation of 3D, AR, and AI creators and explore new creative frontiers in beauty. Our brands L’Oréal Paris, Lancôme, and La Roche-Posay are pioneering and embracing these new creative territories through collaborations with a squad of 30 creators adept at leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques. Our goal is to unleash technological creativity in a rising creator economy.

Digital Sustainability
As the world’s fourth largest advertiser, L’Oréal is committed to lead and enable the industry to measure the CO2 emissions generated by our digital activities and to identify levers to reduce their environmental impact. At VivaTech, we will highlight three of our partnerships that permit us to strive for 360 digital sustainability:

IMPACT+, a French Sustaintech startup that allows us to measure our digital media carbon footprint,

ADGREEN, a Greentech partner that allows us to measure the baseline carbon footprint of our content production shoots,

And FRUGGR, a French startup that allows us to measure our website’s carbon footprint

About L’Oréal
For 115 years, L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L’Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.
With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (e-commerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2023 the Group generated sales amounting to 41.18 billion euros. With 20 research centers across 11 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 6,400 Digital talents, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse

More information on https://www.loreal.com/en/mediaroom

Gap is collaborating with California clothing label DÔEN on a collection of women’s and kids’ apparel and accessories launching on May 17. The collection merges Gap and DÔEN’s most loved essentials and California classics in a celebration of individuality and timeless femininity.

“Gap partners with brands that champion originality and use fashion as a powerful form of self-expression,” says Mark Breitbard, President and CEO of Gap. “Our collaboration with DÔEN celebrates a feminine aesthetic brought to life though some of our most-loved essentials. I can’t wait to welcome DÔEN fans to the Gap family to experience our product in a fresh new way.”

The 51-piece collection is brought to life via DÔEN’s feminine take on Gap’s iconic styles, rooted in denim and khaki. The assortment includes matching sets, dresses, denim, matching tops and skirts, loungewear, and accessories featuring floral prints, eyelet, and flowy silhouettes. Retailing from $19.95 to $158 and available in adult sizing, the collection has shared styles and prints perfect for matching moments in kid, toddler, and baby sizing.

“The timeless and iconic nature of the Gap brand is so inspiring to both Katherine and me,” says Margaret Kleveland, Co-Founder and CEO of DÔEN. “We wore the brand endlessly as children and now dress our own little ones in their never-out-of-style essential pieces.”

“It’s been a dream to watch our collections, so rooted in nostalgia and femininity, reimagined through the classic Gap lens,” adds Katherine Kleveland, Co-Founder and CCO of DÔEN. “As with all our DÔEN designs, the collaboration pieces were designed to be loved, worn in, and passed down — and we’re beyond excited to partner with Gap to be able to offer this to an engaged global community.”

Fronting the campaign is proud mom and model Lily Aldridge and her sister, model and singer Ruby Aldridge, alongside 11-year-old twin sisters Levia and Zahar. Shot by Dan Martensen, the photography and accompanying campaign film showcase playful moments between sisters who value the freedom of self-expression through personal style. Lily and Ruby perfectly portray the beauty and power of sisterhood, bonding through the differences and similarities that connect them.

The Gap × DÔEN collection will be available globally starting Friday, May 17 at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT on gap.com and at select Gap stores. For more details on the Gap × DÔEN collaboration, follow along with @gap and @shopdoen.

Press Contact:
Gap | PR Consulting
gap@prconsulting.net
jenna_stone@gap.com

About Gap:
Gap is a globally recognized icon of casual American style. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, Gap champions originality by creating loved essentials and delivering culturally relevant experiences that celebrate individuality. Gap is an adult apparel and accessories brand that offers GapKids, babyGap, Gap Maternity, GapBody and GapFit collections. The brand also serves value-conscious customers with exclusively designed collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores. Gap is the namesake brand of the global specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and connects with customers online and in company-operated and franchise retail locations globally. For more information, please visit gap.com.

About DÔEN:
Launched in 2016 and founded by Santa Barbara-born sisters, Margaret and Katherine Kleveland, and a Collective of partners, DÔEN is a digitally-led, multi-channel fashion and lifestyle brand. Their mission is to create lasting, beautiful collections while supporting individuals in all aspects of their organization, supply chain, and community. The collections celebrate womanhood, thoughtfully designed for women and the bustling, busy, and beautiful lives they live in their clothes. The pieces are meticulously crafted to be passed on for generations, evoking a timeless whimsy and an unapologetic femininity. The brand works with domestic and international partners who share their values and commitment to gender and social equality as well as giving back by partnering with foundations that directly benefit their employees and surrounding communities. To learn more about DÔEN, visit www.shopdoen.com

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (March 19, 2024) – Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) unveils its new approach to home – a strategy designed to deliver customers a fresh and expanded selection of stylish home and seasonal decor, all at affordable prices. The significantly expanded assortment, available now both in-store and online, offers customers an inspiring and discover-worthy curation of home and seasonal products in new categories and styles for every home.

“We’ve been making meaningful changes to reposition and expand our home offerings over the past year and are excited to unveil Kohl’s new assortment of on-trend and affordable home products to customers nationwide,” said Nick Jones, Kohl’s chief merchandising and digital officer. “As part of Kohl’s broader strategy to drive growth, we identified a real opportunity in home, and we’ve been thoughtfully building the category to position ourselves as a destination for home goods. We’re incredibly encouraged by initial customer response to our home decor assortment, and we see Kohl’s becoming a more formidable player in the home business.”

A Home Assortment, Reimagined

To create a meaningful transformation of its home business, Kohl’s expanded select categories in its assortment by 40%, offering newness in areas including wall art, glassware and ceramic home decor, barware, botanicals, lighting and more.

A Curated Assortment of Unique Home Goods: Kohl’s new home collection will feature a curated mix of unique decorative home products in new-to-Kohl’s categories, such as wall art, botanicals, storage, pet, lighting, frames, glass, and ceramics. The assortment is focused on approachable style and affordability.
Strengthened Everyday Essentials: Kohl’s home assortment maintains some of its key programs that customers have loved, such as bedding and bath, but has elevated the assortment to include more modern aesthetics and frequent pattern and color injections to offer a constant stream of style-forward options for customers’ evolving preferences.
A Seasonal Decor Destination: Kohl’s new home strategy is also positioning the company to be a year-round destination for everyday occasions and seasonal holidays. It will deliver 60% newness in home and holiday decor seasonally to keep customers coming back to refresh their homes for each holiday.

Rediscovering Home at Kohl’s

Kohl’s has created an elevated and expanded in-store and digital home experience, making it easier for customers to find something new and exciting for their home every time they shop. To re-introduce its home offerings to customers, Kohl’s is engaging in a multi-channel marketing approach including immersive digital activations that are rooted in inspiration and experimentation, partnerships with home design experts, a live pop-up experience in New York City, and more.

“We know the way consumers shop for home goods is centered around inspiration, and we have a unique opportunity to re-introduce current customers and invite new customers to think of Kohl’s when looking for inspiration for their home,” said Christie Raymond, Kohl’s chief marketing officer. “We’re prioritizing ways to connect, drive awareness and engage with home shoppers to enhance our credibility in the category, reinforce our compelling value, and provide new ideas and solutions that spark creativity for customers, to ensure Kohl’s is a top-of-mind destination for home decor.”

For more information and to see some of Kohl’s exciting new home product, visit our stores nationwide and Kohls.com/home.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s then current views and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks described more fully in Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and other factors as may periodically be described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and Kohl’s undertakes no obligation to update them.

About Kohl’s
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer built on a foundation that combines great brands, incredible value and convenience for our customers. Kohl’s serves millions of families in our more than 1,100 stores in 49 states, online at Kohls.com, and through our Kohl’s App. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact on the community or how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and Ambercycle today announced efforts to leverage textile-to-textile recycled materials in Athleta products. Ambercycle’s cycora® regenerated polyester is a high-performance material created from end-of-life textiles and seamlessly replaces conventional polyester. Starting in 2026, Athleta – a Certified B Corporation – plans to become the first performance apparel brand to use cycora® at scale.

Athleta CEO, Chris Blakeslee added, “As a mission-driven, B Corp-certified brand, Athleta is committed to reducing our environmental footprint by using recycled materials like cycora®, which not only aligns with our values but also meets our uncompromising quality standards.”

Athleta’s versatile apparel assortment is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle—from yoga and training to travel and recovery.

“As the demand for circular materials rises, we are delighted to collaborate with like-minded brands in the performance sector such as Athleta. Together, we are not only creating high-quality garments but also driving forward the circular fashion movement,” said Shay Sethi, CEO of Ambercycle.

“Gap Inc. is committed to evolving our supply chain and product development process in ways that help us deliver innovative products for our customers while reducing our environmental footprint,” added Dan Fibiger, Head of Global Sustainability at Gap Inc.

Ambercycle’s proprietary molecular regeneration technology uses discarded polyester as feedstock in the production of cycora®, a high-performance material designed to reproduce the quality of virgin-grade polyester, while reducing industry greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on landfilling or incinerating end-of-life textiles. The news demonstrates growing demand for circular materials made from textile-to-textile regeneration.

Fibiger continued, “Ambercycle’s groundbreaking technology for transforming end-of-life textiles into new materials not only enables a more sustainable supply of high-performance fabrics, but it has the potential to cut waste and emissions and has the potential to advance circularity at scale.”

About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., a collection of purpose-led lifestyle brands, is the largest American specialty apparel company offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta brands. The company uses omni-channel capabilities to bridge the digital world and physical stores to further enhance its shopping experience. Gap Inc. is guided by its purpose, Inclusive, by Design, and takes pride in creating products and experiences its customers love while doing right by its employees, communities, and planet. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2022 net sales were $15.6 billion. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

About Athleta
A certified B Corporation, Athleta is a premium performance lifestyle brand with a purpose of inspiring and empowering women and girls to find confidence, strength, and wellbeing through movement. Athleta’s versatile performance apparel is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998, Athleta integrates performance and technical features across its collection to support women across their entire lifestyle—from yoga and training to travel and recovery. In 2016, the company launched Athleta Girl mirroring its signature performance in styles for the next generation. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GPS), Athleta apparel is available at its more than 250 retail stores across the United States and Canada and at Athleta.com.

About Ambercycle
Ambercycle is powering circularity in fashion. Established in 2015, this Los Angeles-based company is revolutionizing the fashion industry with its award-winning molecular regeneration technology. cycora® regenerated polyester is the company’s first premium material solution made from end-of-life textiles. Driven by the vision to improve humanity’s relationship with materials, Ambercycle is minimizing the impact of raw material extraction on our environment and paving the way to decarbonize fashion.

SAN FRANCISCO – Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced the appointment of Eric Chan as Chief Business and Strategy Officer, effective this week, and Amy Thompson as Chief People Officer, effective January 22. Both leaders will join Gap Inc.’s executive leadership team and report to Gap Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson.

“Eric Chan and Amy Thompson will play a critical role in solidifying our foundation as we redefine Gap Inc. for a new era – one where operational rigor becomes a consistent cornerstone of strength for us, bolstered by best-in-class talent and a culture of creativity – all paving the way for brand reinvigoration and cultural relevance,” said Dickson.

With more than 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience at both Fortune 500 and start-up companies, most recently as CFO of the LA Clippers, Chan has a proven track record of leading scaled, creative and entrepreneurial business strategies, fiscal and organizational goal setting and operations oversight. Previously, Chan served as COO for The Bouqs Company and, prior to that, CFO for Loot Crate, where he helped scale the company from a startup to $165 million in revenue.

“There is so much potential in Gap Inc.’s portfolio of iconic brands, and I’m excited to join the team at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history,” said Chan. “I look forward to working alongside Gap Inc. leadership to develop and execute against our strategic agenda.”

“I’m thrilled that Eric will now be at the helm of our business and strategy operations, leading the development of Gap Inc.’s corporate strategy and the critical business levers that will enable us to execute that strategy with excellence,” Dickson added.

As Chief People Officer, Thompson brings 25 years of experience leading cultural change for world-class companies, iconic brands, and scaled retail operations balancing rigor and excellence with a start-up mentality. She most recently served as Chief People Officer at Mattel, and before that as Chief People Officer at TOMS and in HR executive roles at Starbucks and Ticketmaster. During her time at Mattel, Thompson successfully led the effort to elevate corporate mission, purpose, and values, while supporting a comprehensive business transformation with an improved operating model, talent initiatives, and enhanced performance incentive programs. The culture and results Thompson has driven have been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, and the Great Place to Work Institute. She succeeds Sheila Peters, who has served as Chief People Officer at Gap Inc. since 2020.

“I have long admired Gap Inc. for its dedication to its teams, customers, and the communities it serves,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working hand in hand with leadership to empower and energize the organization, creating a culture that thrives on collaboration, creativity, and purpose, that will serve as a strong foundation in this exciting new era.”

“Amy uniquely understands the careful alchemy of people, strategy and culture driving extraordinary results and has distinguished herself as a builder of purpose-driven, highly effective teams dedicated to driving business success. I’m confident she is the right leader to help us build a winning culture, while championing values that allow Gap Inc. to matter more to our teams, customers and communities.” Dickson said.

Banana Republic, announces today that it will be releasing an exclusive capsule collection in collaboration with New York-based fashion designer, Peter Do, this Fall. As two American brands who believe there is significance in the approach to dressing, Banana Republic and Peter Do come together to create a collection grounded in versatile, high-quality pieces celebrating impeccable tailoring and craftsmanship, which are at the core of both brands’ design codes.

Designed by Peter Do with inspiration pulled from the Banana Republic archives, the capsule includes transformational and genderful ready-to-wear pieces and accessories in Peter Do’s signature neutral color palette, brought to life in Banana Republic’s classic silhouettes. Featuring a range of utility silk shirting, soft knitwear, tailored outerwear, and premium special detailing—this is a modern collection designed for people living multi-faceted lives.

This partnership is the next step in Banana Republic’s brand transformation, referencing the BR that people have nostalgia for and reimagined through Peter’s fresh perspective. BR x Peter Do celebrates contemporary quality and thoughtful design through the use of the finest fabrics and impeccable tailoring and craftsmanship.

BR x Peter Do will officially launch in select BR stores and online in October. Preview the collection and sign up for alerts here, and follow @bananarepublic with hashtag #BRxPD to discover the collection and more.

Old Navy is offering a 1-year guarantee for uniform styles purchased during the upcoming back-to-school season. The retailer will provide a full refund if products don’t stand up to the wear and tear of a school year. The ‘kid-proof’ guarantee is backed by Old Navy’s rigorous quality testing and commitment to uncompromising durability.

Designed to endure the rigors of everyday use, Old Navy’s uniform styles are constructed for durability with secure stitching, reinforced knees and Built-in-Flex technology to stretch with movement. Additionally, Old Navy performs comprehensive testing on uniform products to ensure they meet the highest quality standards from fabric strength to fade resistance, maintaining performance even after multiple washes and daily wear.

“At Old Navy, we understand the demands of a busy school year. That’s why our uniform products are made using durable fabrics that are proven to be built to last,” said Sarah Holme, Old Navy Head of Design & Product Development. “We go the extra mile to ensure our uniforms can withstand the test of time, providing long-lasting value for both parents and students.”

In addition to fulfilling dress code requirements, Old Navy’s uniform pieces such as polos, chinos and pleated skirts serve as essential building blocks in a student’s wardrobe. During the prime Back-to-School season, all uniform basics will be priced at $15 and under, providing exceptional customer value.[1]

Guarantee Details
If a customer is unsatisfied with the quality of a uniform product, Old Navy will provide a full refund within 1 year of purchase.[2]

The 1-year guarantee is applicable to uniform products purchased now through September 30, 2023. These items may be returned for a full refund with original receipt for 365 days from date of purchase.
Uniform styles purchased both in stores and on Oldnavy.com are eligible for the guarantee. Returns must be made to a store.
Online, uniform styles included in the guarantee will be marked with a badge in the online assortment. In stores, uniforms will be displayed in designated sections.
About Old Navy
Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality products. A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,200 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com.

DENVER — VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC), a leading portfolio of lifestyle brands, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Bracken Darrell as President and CEO, effective July 17, 2023. Darrell will join VF from Logitech International S.A., where he served as President and CEO since 2013.

In connection with Darrell’s appointment, Benno Dorer, who has served as VF’s Interim President and CEO since December 5, 2022, and a member of VF’s Board since 2017, will remain a VF Board member. Richard Carucci, a VF Board member since 2009 and Interim Chair of the Board during VF’s recent leadership transition period, has been named Chair of the Board of VF.

“VF’s Board of Directors couldn’t be more pleased with our appointment of Bracken as VF’s 12th CEO in the company’s 124-year history,” said Carucci. “We conducted an extensive search and determined that Bracken has all the attributes to excel in this role. He is a transformational and visionary business leader with a strong track record of performance across multiple industries. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an outstanding ability to enhance design capabilities, delight consumers, and accelerate revenue growth and margin expansion. His broad executive management and deep international experience make him uniquely suited to partner with and guide VF’s executive team and 35,000 talented associates around the world to fuel an exciting new future for the company. We are highly confident that under Bracken’s leadership, VF will achieve new levels of success that will make its associates, investors, and stakeholders proud.”

Darrell has proven experience in business leadership, product innovation, and brand management roles with blue-chip companies. He will take the helm at VF following an exceptional 10 years as the President and CEO of Logitech International where he is credited with a turnaround of Logitech’s business by expanding into new categories and improving market share through the introduction of new and innovative products and the elevation of design as a pillar of the company’s strategy. Under Darrell’s leadership, Logitech expanded into more than 20 new product categories, more than doubled revenue, and achieved a tenfold increase in market capitalization.

Prior to Logitech, Darrell held international leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Procter & Gamble where he was President of Braun globally, the Whirlpool Corporation where he was President of EMEA, and General Electric. Early in his career, upon graduating business school, Darrell held brand management roles with Procter & Gamble and is credited with leading the turnaround of the Old Spice brand. He received a B.A. from Hendrix College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Darrell is a purpose-driven leader who emphasizes the importance of social responsibility, including environmental sustainability. At Logitech, he wove social responsibility into the company’s mission and strategy and built its reputation as a sustainability leader within the tech industry. In addition, Darrell is highly focused on equity in the workplace and has been a featured speaker on the topic of corporate diversity and inclusion.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve as President and CEO of VF,” said Darrell. “Like millions of people around the world, I love VF’s iconic brands. I’m so impressed by this organization’s sustained ability to keep its portfolio of brands at the forefront of culture over time during its 124-year history. I look forward to working closely with the Board, leadership team and the talented associates across VF to build on the initiatives underway to strengthen business performance and drive strong and sustainable growth and shareholder value creation. I can’t wait to get to work.”

Commenting on Dorer’s service as VF’s Interim President and CEO, Carucci added: “I know I speak on behalf of VF’s Board of Directors and global workforce when I extend my deepest gratitude to Benno for serving as Interim President and CEO. His passion for VF’s brands and overall love for the company is evident and served as a strong north star that guided his leadership actions during this transition. While in the role, Benno engaged with and energized VF’s global teams, sharpened execution and strengthened the company’s financial stability and discipline. He has done an excellent job preparing for this handoff to Bracken and I know he’ll continue to make meaningful contributions as a member of VF’s Board.”

About VF Corporation
Founded in 1899, VF Corporation is one of the world’s largest active-lifestyle companies which connects people to the activities and experiences they cherish most through a portfolio of outdoor, active, workwear and streetwear brands including Vans®, The North Face®, Timberland® and Dickies®. Our purpose is to power movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet. We connect this purpose with a relentless drive to succeed to create value for all stakeholders and use our company as a force for good. For more information, please visit vfc.com.

Media Contact:
Craig Hodges
corporate_communications@vfc.com

Investor Contact:
Allegra Perry
ir@vfc.com

Source: VF Corporation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center will open on Monday, April 17 at 1010 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C., building on a longstanding partnership between Georgetown and Ralph Lauren on cancer research and care. A part of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the facility, located in Ward 8, will focus on reducing disparities in healthcare affecting the city’s underserved communities through patient navigation — or individualized healthcare guides — community educators and more. This Center, made possible by a grant from The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation, is aimed at helping residents get the cancer care they need by bringing comprehensive cancer resources to underserved communities in southeast Washington (Wards 6, 7 and 8), where they have been historically lacking.

The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention will begin operations following a special dedication with patients, staff and dignitaries. Services at this newly remodeled facility in the southeast corner of the District build upon the programming and impact of the previous practices of the Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC) to expand beyond the breast cancer-focused services offered at this site by the CBCC, which has been a fixture in the community for 15 years. The new Center will now offer comprehensive cancer resources to the diverse populations disproportionately impacted by lung, colorectal, prostate and other cancers — from screening to treatment, when necessary. The Center will also include a wider array of cancer-focused services, targeted outreach and education in collaboration with MedStar Health, Georgetown’s academic health system partner.

The Center will support early detection as well as diagnostic and preventative measures and, when necessary, connect individuals to Georgetown University’s academic health system partner, MedStar Health, for specialized care or to participate in clinical trials. The Center will also provide tailored community outreach, engagement and educational programming to vulnerable populations east of the Anacostia River (Wards 6, 7 and 8), where they have been historically lacking.

“We’ve been working at this location and in this community with breast cancer patients for 15 years and what we know from that work and those relationships — along with research — is that addressing cancer disparities in communities and meeting people where they are makes a real difference,” explains Lucile Adams-Campbell, Ph.D., Director of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Director for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research at Georgetown Lombardi. “We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to now expand our focus on breast cancer to address colorectal, lung and prostate cancers because when we work directly with and in communities most impacted, we see dramatic improvements in early detection, diagnostic, treatment and preventive measures.”

Ralph Lauren has a longstanding history of support and partnership with Georgetown Lombardi. In 1989, Mr. Lauren, alongside Katharine Graham, co-founded the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown Lombardi in honor of his close friend and former fashion editor of The Washington Post, Nina Hyde. Over the years, the Ralph Lauren Corporation and Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation have focused a key pillar of their philanthropic efforts on giving to cancer care and prevention causes and organizations.

“More than 30 years ago, I made a personal, unwavering commitment to contribute to the fight against cancer,” said Ralph Lauren, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Ralph Lauren Corporation and Chair of The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. “Through The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation’s investment in Georgetown Lombardi, our hope is that our work together will help to reduce health disparities in underserved communities by creating improved access to the preventative care so critical for successful treatment and survival. And most of all, make a meaningful difference in the quality of life for those most vulnerable and in need.”

Last year, The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation made a $25 million commitment in new grant funding to expand or establish five Ralph Lauren-named cancer centers in underserved communities across the United States. Recognized by the White House’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, the funding will benefit institutions, including Georgetown Lombardi and Memorial Sloan Kettering Ralph Lauren Center in Harlem, N.Y., that have a National Cancer Institute designation and are dedicated to overcoming health disparities and improving cancer outcomes in their communities. In the coming years, The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation will identify and select three additional grant recipients in collaboration with Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation.

Addressing Disparities Through Patient Navigation

The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention will help to advance health equity in a historically underserved part of the District. The majority of healthcare facilities in Washington, D.C., are located in the Northwest quadrant, making them unevenly distributed throughout the city. As many as 41% of residents across the nation’s capital aren’t receiving necessary cancer screenings and health disparities between Black and white patients here are wider than they are in the rest of the country. Ward 8 is one of the most deeply impacted communities by these disparities with higher cancer rates and lower life expectancies than populations in other parts of the District.

Patient navigators play an important role in educating communities about cancer and helping patients overcome barriers to care and access. Research shows that patient navigators help reduce cancer disparities by guiding patients through the complex and vast healthcare system. Patient navigators and other community-focused educators have been proven to help eliminate cancer disparities from diagnosis through treatment by assisting patients with:

Lack of transportation, childcare or elder care
Language barriers
Medical mistrust
Fear of what a screening, test or diagnosis will mean
Logistics navigating a complex system of doctors and appointments amid many other life responsibilities
About The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation works to make the dream of a better life reality by championing equity and empowering underserved communities around the world. Established in 2001, The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation is committed to making a difference across its core areas of focus: supporting cancer care and prevention, protecting the environment, fostering advocacy & access and strengthening community resilience. It hopes to deliver meaningful change in its communities through its nonprofit collaborations, grant funding and volunteering programs. For more information, please visit: https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/Foundation.

About Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center. A part of Georgetown University Medical Center, Georgetown Lombardi is the only comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C. area. It serves as the research engine for MedStar Health, Georgetown University’s clinical partner. Georgetown Lombardi is also an NCI-recognized consortium with Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center in Bergen County, New Jersey. The consortium reflects an integrated cancer research enterprise with scientists and physician-researchers from both locations. Georgetown Lombardi seeks to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through innovative basic, translational, and clinical research, patient care, community education, and outreach to serve communities throughout the Washington region. Georgetown Lombardi is a member of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (UG1CA239758). Georgetown Lombardi is supported in part by a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant (P30CA051008). Connect with Georgetown Lombardi on Facebook (Facebook.com/Georgetown Lombardi) and Twitter (@LombardiCancer).

SEATTLE — Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN) today announced the appointment of Eric Sprunk, former chief operating officer of NIKE, Inc., to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Sprunk will stand for election at the Company’s upcoming 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. With Sprunk’s appointment, the Nordstrom Board has been expanded to 11 directors.

Sprunk has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the consumer retail industry. He most recently served as chief operating officer of NIKE from 2013 to 2020, where he led the teams responsible for manufacturing, sourcing, sales, procurement and technology. During his time at NIKE, he held various executive positions of increasing responsibility, including executive vice president, global product and merchandising from 2008 to 2013 and executive vice president and general manager, global footwear from 2001 to 2008. Prior to joining NIKE, Sprunk was a certified public accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers responsible for client service of large multi-national companies and financial services organizations.

“We are pleased to welcome an industry veteran of Eric’s caliber to the Nordstrom Board,” said Brad Tilden, chairman of the Nordstrom Board. “Eric’s appointment demonstrates Nordstrom’s commitment to ongoing refreshment and ensuring our board is composed of directors with relevant skills and expertise to oversee the execution of Nordstrom’s strategy and drive shareholder value. With Eric’s decades of operational experience in the consumer retail industry and track record of driving e-commerce growth and large-scale transformations within a complex global business, we’re confident he will be a valuable addition to the board and look forward to benefitting from his expertise.”

About Nordstrom
At Nordstrom, Inc. (NYSE: JWN), we exist to help our customers feel good and look their best. Since starting as a shoe store in 1901, how to best serve customers has been at the center of every decision we make. This heritage of service is the foundation we’re building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers. Our digital-first platform enables us to serve customers when, where and how they want to shop – whether that’s in-store at more than 350 Nordstrom, Nordstrom Local and Nordstrom Rack locations or digitally through our Nordstrom and Rack apps and websites. Through it all, we remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release contain or may suggest “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different from expectations. The words “will,” “may,” “designed to,” “outlook,” “believes,” “should,” “targets,” “anticipates,” “assumptions,” “plans,” “expects” or “expectations,” “intends,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “guidance” and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. The Company also may provide forward-looking statements in oral statements or other written materials released to the public. All statements contained or incorporated in this press release or in any other public statements that address such future events or expectations are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2023. In addition, forward-looking statements contained in this release may be impacted by the actual outcome of events or occurrences related to the wind-down of business operations in Canada. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date made, and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, new information or future circumstances. In addition, the actual timing, price, manner and amounts of future share repurchases, if any, will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors, contractual commitments, market and economic conditions and applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
Nordstrom, Inc. intends to file a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, an accompanying proxy card and other relevant documents with the SEC in connection with such solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders for the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”) CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement, an accompanying proxy card, any amendments or supplements to the definitive proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at no charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge by clicking the “SEC Filings” link located under “Financial Information” in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s corporate website, investor.nordstrom.com, or by contacting InvRelations@Nordstrom.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Certain Information Regarding Participants to the Solicitation
The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers are participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders in connection with matters to be considered at the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of shareholders. Information regarding the direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of the Company’s directors and executive officers in the Company is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on April 7, 2022, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2023, and the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time. Changes to the direct or indirect interests of the Company’s directors and executive officers are set forth in SEC filings on Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4. These documents are available free of charge as described above.